In a letter to (Senate President Pro Tem Darrell) Steinberg and the entire rest of the Senate, Yee notes he was the first Asian American to become assistant pro tem, but said he is "more than willing to relinquish this title if that is the price for voting my conscience on the state budget and standing up against severe cuts to education, social services and health care."

He goes on: "I will comply with your request to reorder letterhead and other office materials to no longer include the title."